This 1950s Keaton Music Typewriter is the most vintage and wonderfully impractical thing ever

2 March 2016, 11:37 | Updated: 6 January 2017, 14:45

Back in the 1950s you could get your musical ideas on to paper in the most gloriously vintage way.

Printing music has changed as technology has advanced over the centuries, from woodblock printing and copper-plate engraving to the printing press and digital typsetting. In the mid-20th century everyone was clattering away on typewriters and musical printing followed. 

Robert H. Keaton first released a 14-key music writer in 1933. An exceptionally elegant 33-key version followed 20 years later – here's the latter in action:

As vintage-y chic as a whisky-soaked black suit and skinny tie.

It is estimated that between six and 24 of these machines are left in existence - and we hear that one was recently up for sale on Etsy for $6,000 (£4,290). Thanks to the fine folk at Musical Toronto for bringing this wonderful thing of oh-my-god-I-want-this-now beauty to our attention.

1953 Keaton Music Typewriter